NEWARK – Vice President Mike Pence told a crowd of supporters at The Skylight banquet facility that Republican Congressional candidate Troy Balderson will help change the expected Democratic blue wave election into a red wave this year.

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Vice President Mike Pence and Troy Balderson, a Republican candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District, wave to the crowd during a campaign event on Monday, July 30, 2018 at The Skylight in Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

A supporter returns Vice President Mike Pence's thumbs up as he campaign's for Troy Balderson, a Republican candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District, during an event on Monday, July 30, 2018 at The Skylight in Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

The crowd takes cell phone photos as Troy Balderson, a Republican candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District, and Vice President Mike Pence wave at the close of a campaign event on Monday, July 30, 2018 at The Skylight in Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Supporters listen as Vice President Mike Pence adresses the crowd during a campaign event for Troy Balderson, a Republican candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District, on Monday, July 30, 2018 at The Skylight in Newark. More than 300 turned out to the event. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Former Licking County Republican Party chair Linda Woolard points to Vice President Mike Pence's signature on her wrist after a campaign event for Troy Balderson, a Republican candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District. Woolard was one of 30 attendees who got to meet the Vice President after his remarks. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Mackenzie Howard and Mere Hans join protestors at the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs supporting the LGBTQ community in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Sue Robinson, of Newark, joins protestors before a campaign event attended by Vice President Mike Pence. Robinson said she couldn't stay quiet anymore, especially after Trump's stricter policies on immigration which has lead to children being separated from their parents at the border. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors celebrate the 53rd birthday of Medicare and show support for Danny O'Connor, Democratic candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District, on the Court House steps in Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors celebrate the 53rd birthday of Medicare and show support for Danny O'Connor, Democratic candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District, on the Court House steps in Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Chair of the Ohio GOP Jane Timken speaks to supporters before a campaign event for Troy Balderson, candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District, which included a visit from Vice President Mike Pence. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Chair of the Ohio GOP Jane Timken speaks to supporters before a campaign event for Troy Balderson, candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District, which included a visit from Vice President Mike Pence. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Vice President Mike Pence addresses supporters as they take photos and videos on their phones during a campaign event for Troy Balderson on Monday, July 30, 2018 at The Skylight in Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Supporters line up outside of The Skylight in Newark for a campaign event for Troy Balderson on Monday, July 30, 2018 at The Skylight in Newark. The event supporting the Republican candidate for Ohio's 12th District Congressional District included a visit from Vice President Mike Pence. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Protestors line the corner of East Main Street and South First Street in Newark, across from The Skylight, with signs in anticipation of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Vice President Mike Pence ask veteran's to raise their hands and be recognized during a campaign event for Troy Balderson on Monday, July 30, 2018 at The Skylight in Newark. Sara C. Tobias/The Advocate

Pence touted the accomplishments of President Donald Trump's administration and stressed the importance of electing Balderson to represent the Ohio's 12th Congressional District and continue to president's policies.

"They tell me history shows this first mid-term election for the party in the White House is actually kind of tough," Pence said. "That's what conventional wisdom says, that 2018 will be a challenging year. That's the conventional wisdom.

"But I think we all know what President Donald Trump thinks of conventional wisdom. We made history in 2016 and we'll make history in 2018."

The Aug. 7 special election will determine who fills the unexpired term vacated by Republican Pat Tiberi, who resigned in January.

The candidates incluide: Balderson, 56, a Republican state senator from Zanesville; Danny O'Connor, 31, a Democrat from Clintonville and the Franklin County recorder; and Green Party candidate Joe Manchik. The same trio will be on the Nov. 6 ballot, seeking a two-year term in Congress.

The vice president said Balderson will continue the president's policies of cutting taxes, adding jobs, increasing military spending and securing the borders.

"History will record the red wave started here," Pence said.

Officials disputed the last time a sitting vice president traveled to Newark, but agreed it has been decades since it occurred.

A crowd of 315 people packed inside a small portion of the large banquet facility to hear the vice president, and 30 others waited out in the lobby. The ones in the lobby were shocked when Pence stopped to talk to them after his speech.

Pence said the choice in the special election is a choice between a "common-sense conservative and a Nancy Pelosi liberal."

He said Balderson "will be there to make the tough votes and stand with the president."

Balderson, who introduced Pence, said he was grateful the vice president would come here to support his candidacy. Balderson addressed a charge made by Democrats with a promise to his mother.

"I will not vote for Nancy Pelosi. I'm running this campaign on record, not rhetoric. We've got Ohio back open for business again, and we'll do the same in D.C, but you've got to get me there."

The vice president praised Balderson's record in Ohio.

"He's a common-sense conservative that helped put Ohio on strong financial footing. Troy helped bring the leadership in Ohio that the president brought to the White House."

O'Connor responded to Balderson's event with the following tweet: “Mike Pence is coming to Ohio today to campaign for our opponent. Troy Balderson needs a lifeline from the GOP, but we’ve got an army of grassroots supporters.”

Following the event, Republican supporters said they are glad they came to see the vice president and hear his message.

Tom Brennan, of Dublin, said, "I thought that the vice president gave a very rousing talk today. He summed very well what President Trump has accomplished in the last 18 months."

Harry Yocum, of Newark, said, "He kind of reaffirmed all our faith in Donald and his team. It was excellent. It was well worth the wait."

Jeff Lutz, of Westerville, said, "He talked about Trump's accomplishments. Promises made and promises kept, and how we need Republican representation to support Donald Trump. He can get much more done with the support."

Newark Mayor Jeff Hall said the visit, which was announced late Friday afternoon, required quick preparation and he said the Secret Service, Ohio Highway Patrol, Licking County Sheriff’s Office, Newark Fire, Newark Police and mutual assistance from neighboring communities all worked together to make it happen.

“This has been just a phenomenally coordinated safety effort," Hall said. "It’s a good day for the community. It’s nice to have somebody this high-ranking come into the city.”

The 12th District runs from Mansfield to the northern Columbus suburbs, then stretches eastward to Zanesville and southern Muskingum County. John Kasich won the seat in 1982, succeeded in 2001 by Tiberi, who had worked in Kasich's office.